QPL's Banned Books logo: a purple book with a cover that says "I Read Banned Books with My QPL Card."

Banned Books Week is September 22 through September 28, and the American Library Association has reported historic highs in the number of challenged and banned book titles.

It is more important than ever, as a community of readers who appreciate the depth, richness, and diversity of perspectives that all books offer, to stand united against censorship.

We encourage you to check out our booklists, our upcoming programs, and our Banned Books Library Card Design Contest—the winning selection will be featured on QPL’s first Banned Books Special Edition Library Card!

Learn more about how QPL is celebrating the freedom to read, during Banned Books Week and beyond.

 

Banned eBooks List: Always Available on OverDrive & Libby

QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books

Banned Books Library Card Design Contest

Banned Books Programs

Day of Action on October 19

Banned Books Teen Takeover: QPL Teens Instagram

Banned Books Bookmark Shelf Talkers

 

Banned eBooks List: Always Available

The covers of the Banned eBooks that will be Always Available during QPL's celebration of Banned Books Week and Beyond.

The best way to fight censorship is to read banned books!

You can download these great eBooks, which will be available with no wait from September 22 through October 31, on OverDrive and the Libby app.

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
eBook | Audiobook

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
eBook | Audiobook

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
eBook | Audiobook

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas (Illus.)
eBook | Audiobook

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson (Illus.)

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
eBook | Audiobook

All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
eBook | Audiobook

Sold by Patricia McCormick
eBook | Audiobook

 

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QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books

QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books

Get inspired by our list of the 100 most popular banned and challenged books in circulation at Queens Public Library from 2012-2022.

How many of them have you read? Use our list to borrow them from your local library!

 

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Banned Books Library Card Design Contest

The logo for QPL's Banned Books Library Card Design Contest.

Calling all local artists ages 13 and up!

Submit your original artwork that celebrates the freedom to read. Get creative and take a stand against censorship.

The winning artwork will be featured on QPL’s first Banned Books Special Edition Library Card, to be released in 2025.

The winner will also receive a $2,000 cash prize!

Our Banned Books Library Card Design Contest will run from September 23 to November 30, 2024.

Learn More & Enter Today!

 

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Banned Books Programs

Here’s a selection of our Banned Books virtual and in-person programs, including movie marathons, book talks, storytimes, and much more!

Click the title of each program to learn more about it, and visit our online QPL Calendar to see the full list!

Banned Books Movie Festival: Freedom to Read, Freedom Between the Reels (In-Person)
Monday, Sept. 23; Tuesday, Sept. 24; Thursday, Sept. 26; Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28
Download the flyer for movie titles, times, and locations!

Art 2 Heart: Illustrating Banned Books (In-Person)
Monday, September 23, 3pm

Cambria Heights Library, 218-13 Linden Boulevard

Banned Books Week: September Movies at Forest Hills Library (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 25, 2pm

Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Avenue

Banned Books Bingo! (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 25, 3pm

Auburndale Library, 25-55 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Flushing

Culture Connection: Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books with Kirsten Miller and Tim Barnes (Virtual)
Wednesday, September 25, 6pm

Join us on Facebook and YouTube

Banned Books Storytime (In-Person)
Thursday, September 26, 11am

Cambria Heights Library, 218-13 Linden Boulevard

CLDC Banned Books Movie Festival: Captain Underpants (In-Person)
Thursday, September 26, 3pm

Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Friends of Ridgewood Library Banned Book Giveaway (In-Person)
Thursday, September 26, 4pm
Saturday, September 28, 11am

Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Street

Banned Books: Necklaces for Teens (In-Person)
Friday, September 27, 3:30pm

Woodside Library, 54-22 Skillman Avenue

Banned Books: Library Card Design Contest Workshop (In-Person)
Wednesday, October 2, 3:30pm
Monday, October 28, 3:30pm
Wednesday, November 13, 3:30pm

Ozone Park Library, 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard

 

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Day of Action on October 19

The promotional logo for the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19.

In conjunction with the American Library Association, Unite Against Book Bans, and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, New York City’s public library systems—Queens Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and The New York Public Library—are spearheading a nationwide day of action to rally for the freedom to read!

On Saturday, October 19, libraries across the country will gather their patrons and supporters to unite against book bans and demonstrate that the freedom to read is an enduring, non-partisan American value that must be protected.

Learn More about the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action, and how you can participate.

 

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Banned Books Teen Takeover: QPL Teens Instagram

Teens will make their voices heard on our QPL Teens Instagram page!

Starting September 22, visit the QPL Teens Instagram page to see great content about banned books by the teens in our community—including Instagram Stories, Reels, polls, games, and much more.

 

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Banned Books Bookmark Shelf Talkers

During Banned Books Week, when you visit our branches, be sure to look for our special Banned Books Shelf Talkers!

These visual displays will be in our book stacks and on our book shelves, indicating a book that has been challenged or banned.

It's an easy way for you to find banned books at the library, and make them part of your reading list.

Remember: the best way to fight censorship is to read banned books, and you will always be able to find them at Queens Public Library!

 

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